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Archibald capped off his nearly two-decade run with USSA with one of the most successful seasons yet, including two wins for his athletes.

Mick Dierdorff earned his first-ever international competition victory, winning the snowboardcross title at his home International Ski Federation Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships in Utah.

Dierdorff became the first American man to win a snowboardcross World Championships title in 14 years.

He then teamed up with Lindsey Jacobellis to take the gold medal in the new mixed team snowboardcross event, set to make its Olympic debut at Beijing 2022.

Archibald admitted that the team’s success at the event will be something he will never forget.

"The team event is special - snowboardcross is an individual sport and when the athletes get a chance to work as a team, they really embrace it," he added.

"I knew I was stepping down at the end of the season, so to see Mick and Lindsey win the inaugural World Championships event on home turf in my hometown was amazing.

"My wife and kids were able to be there, which made it even more meaningful.

When Archibald started with the team in 2005, snowboardcross was still fairly new.

He, along with a talented group of riders, was able to innovate at a rapid pace with course designs, techniques, and training methods.

It is claimed this culture of innovation and progress continued until the end of his career.

Archibald and head US snowboardcross coach Peter Foley were instrumental in applying cutting edge discipline specific sport science to the sport's training programme.

From utilising new training technology to strategically planning their training camp and competition schedule, the USSA cllaims that Archibald’s positive influence on and off the snow is undeniable and will certainly be missed.

The search for his replacement is still underway.

Dave Euler, meanwhile, is moving up to coach with the pro freeski slopestyle/big air freeski team and work with head coach Skogen Sprang.

"Jeff and DJ are amazing coaches that set an incredibly high standard in their positions," Jeremy Forster, the USSA's director of USSA freeskiing/snowboard, said.

"Both were instrumental in developing their respective programmes and establishing the high level of success each programme has enjoyed during their time with U.S. Ski & Snowboard."

About the author

Daniel Etchells graduated from the University of Huddersfield with a BA honours degree in Media and Sports Journalism in 2010. Before joining insidethegames.biz, Daniel covered football for various national newspapers through the Wardle Whittell Agency and undertook placements writing for the official website of his beloved Manchester United, the Manchester Evening News and BBC Sport.

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Fact of the day

At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Iranian judoka Arash Miresmaeili was disqualified for weighing in at nearly four pounds above the limit for his weight class of his under-66 kilograms match against an Israeli opponent Ehud Vaks in the first round. It was claimed Miresmaeili had gone on an eating binge to protest the International Olympic Committee's recognition of the state of Israel. Iran does not recognise the state of Israel, and Miresmaeili's actions won praise from high-ranking Iranian officials. Mohammad Khatami, the country's President at the time, was quoted as saying Miresmaili's actions would be "recorded in the history of Iranian glories". He was later awarded $125,000 by the Government - the same amount given to Olympic gold medallists.

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